Photograph courtesy of epSos
The Bank of England has confirmed that they plan to introduce polymer banknotes in 2016.
The polymer notes, created from a transparent flexible film of polypropylene, stay cleaner than traditional cotton banknotes, and are more durable, surviving a spin in the washing machine or a dip in the sea. The notes are expected to last around 2.5 times longer than traditional notes.
A five pound note featuring Winston Churchill will be the first polymer banknote, followed a year later by a ten pound note featuring Jane Austen a year later.
The introduction comes after the Bank of England polled 13,000 shoppers around the country about their thoughts on the change, with 87% of people in favour of the new notes.
Polymer banknotes have been in use around the world for decades, with Australia the first country to bring them into circulation in 1988 due to their durability and resistance to water damage.
The Bank of England is expected to contract Innovia Security to supply the polymer for the notes, with the company establishing a production plant in Wigton, Cumbria in 2016.